Antony and Cleopatra
By
William Shakespeare
Act III:
Scene 11

ANTONY.Hark! the land bids me tread no more upon't; — It is asham'd to bear me. — Friends, come hither:I am so lated in the world that IHave lost my way for ever: — I have a shipLaden with gold; take that; divide it; fly,And make your peace with Caesar.

ALL.Fly! Not we.

ANTONY.I have fled myself, and have instructed cowardsTo run and show their shoulders. — Friends, be gone;I have myself resolv'd upon a courseWhich has no need of you; be gone;My treasure's in the harbour, take it. — O,I follow'd that I blush to look upon:My very hairs do mutiny; for the whiteReprove the brown for rashness, and they themFor fear and doting. — Friends, be gone: you shallHave letters from me to some friends that willSweep your way for you. Pray you, look not sad,Nor make replies of loathness: take the hintWhich my despair proclaims; let that be leftWhich leaves itself: to the sea-side straightway:I will possess you of that ship and treasure.Leave me, I pray, a little: pray you now: — Nay, do so; for indeed I have lost command,Therefore I pray you: — I'll see you by and by.

[Sits down.]

[Enter CLEOPATRA, led by CHARMIAN and IRAS, EROS following.]

EROS.Nay, gentle madam, to him! — comfort him.

IRAS.Do, most dear queen.

CHARMIAN.Do! why, what else?

CLEOPATRA.Let me sit down. O Juno!

ANTONY.No, no, no, no, no.

EROS.See you here, sir?

ANTONY.O, fie, fie, fie!

CHARMIAN.Madam, —

IRAS.Madam, O good empress, —

EROS.Sir, sir, —

ANTONY.Yes, my lord, yes; — he at Philippi keptHis sword e'en like a dancer; while I struckThe lean and wrinkled Cassius; and 'twas IThat the mad Brutus ended; he aloneDealt on lieutenantry, and no practice hadIn the brave squares of war: yet now — no matter.

CLEOPATRA.Ah, stand by.

EROS.The queen, my lord, the queen!

IRAS.Go to him, madam, speak to him:He is unqualitied with very shame.

ANTONY.Now I mustTo the young man send humble treaties, dodgeAnd palter in the shifts of lowness; whoWith half the bulk o' the world play'd as I pleas'd,Making and marring fortunes. You did knowHow much you were my conqueror; and thatMy sword, made weak by my affection, wouldObey it on all cause.

CLEOPATRA.Pardon, pardon!

ANTONY.Fall not a tear, I say; one of them ratesAll that is won and lost: give me a kiss;Even this repays me. — We sent our schoolmaster;Is he come back? — Love, I am full of lead. — Some wine, within there, and our viands! — Fortune knowsWe scorn her most when most she offers blows.